Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik. | ANI
Bhubaneswar: The President of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and former Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of the people of Odisha, emphasizing that the BJD’s core focus has always been and will continue to be the welfare and well-being of its citizens. He highlighted that the party’s priorities would always revolve around ensuring the prosperity of the people of Odisha, no matter the issue at hand.
About The Decision
In a virtual meeting organized by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin, which was part of the Joint Action Committee on delimitation, Naveen Patnaik from Bhubaneswar called on the Union government to initiate a thorough and inclusive consultation process with all political parties before finalizing any decisions concerning the contentious issue of delimitation. This meeting brought together leaders and representatives from various regions to discuss the ramifications of delimitation, particularly how it might impact political representation in the country.
Patnaik underscored the critical importance of such a collaborative dialogue, pointing out that it would be essential to ensure that the democratic principle of fair representation is upheld in every state. He stressed the need for a nuanced approach that takes into account the unique circumstances of states like Odisha, which have effectively managed to stabilize their population growth over the years. Such states, according to Patnaik, must not be overlooked in any decision-making process concerning the delimitation of constituencies.
Patnaik also pointed out that population control should be considered a national priority, one that is crucial to the long-term development and sustainability of India. He remarked that Odisha, through its conscious and deliberate efforts, has contributed positively to the national agenda of controlling population growth and building a stronger, more sustainable nation.
However, he expressed significant concern about the potential unfairness of using population figures as the sole criterion for determining the distribution of parliamentary seats. He cautioned that states like Odisha, which have taken proactive steps to control their population growth rates, should not be penalized for their efforts. “While our state has worked diligently towards controlling its population in alignment with the broader national goals, it would be deeply unjust to penalize those states for their responsible actions,” Patnaik argued.
Furthermore, Patnaik stressed that population should not be the only determining factor in the allocation of seats in India’s Parliament. He advocated for a more balanced and equitable approach that reflects the diverse socio-economic realities across different states, ensuring fair representation for all regions, especially those that have made substantial strides in population control and sustainable development.
In conclusion, Patnaik urged the Union government to initiate an exhaustive and transparent process of consultations with all political parties to thoroughly address the concerns surrounding the delimitation issue. He emphasized that the decisions made in this regard will have far-reaching consequences for the democratic fabric of the country, and it is crucial that any action taken is fair, just, and in the best interests of all states, particularly those like Odisha, which have worked hard to manage their population growth responsibly.
